March 11 - March 24, 2009 by The Tower

John & Jay

The Fray's New Release P. 4

Rachel's Rave

Head-to-Head Once Again!

Dishes Out the Latest!

P. 12

The Tower Kean University’s student newspaper

www.kean.edu/~thetower

Shape up, or... (See centerfold)

Volume 9 • Issue 10 Mar. 11-Mar. 24, 2009

Kean Mourns Loss of Student and Fraternity Brother By Jillian Johnson

Kean Child Care Center Goes Public By Lillie Morales-Torres

The Kean University Child Care Center for the first time will open its doors to the community beyond just children of Kean students, staff and faculty. The center held its first open house on March 7 to let parents in the community see the facility and sign up for Fall 2009. “We are giving families from the broader community the opportunity to send their children to a Reggio Emila-inspired school on a university campus,” said Kathleen Berkowitz, the Child Care Center’s Director. “We have an abundance of resources at our fingertips right on campus which other child care centers do not offer.” Berkowitz said the Child Care Committee had talked about the possibility of opening enrollment to the public and

after much discussion, they approached the College of Education Dean Susan Polirstok, with the idea. Dr. Polirstok was instrumental in obtaining the information necessary for such a change to be made, she said. The center has building capacity for 60 children; 20 children per class. Currently, 27 children of Kean staff, faculty or students are enrolled. However, with enrollment now open to the public, the center is advising Kean parents to fill out pre-enrollment forms early to avoid a waiting list. Berkowitz said Kean’s Child Care Center is the only child care center in the area to use the Reggio Emilia approach, which was hailed as the best in the world in 1991 in Newsweek Magazine. The approach (Continued on page 2) uses close observa-

P. 5

See page 2

He was known for always having a smile on his face and his fraternity brothers said he exemplified what the Sigma Beta Tau Fraternity stood for—“Service, brotherhood and trust.” Family and friends mourned the tragic loss of Kean University student, James William Edward Kent of Brick, who died February 18 in a car accident on the Garden State Parkway. He was 27. “He always had a smile on his face and if you weren’t smiling, he would make you smile,” said Rachel Kaelblein, a junior at Kean and member of the sister sorority, Sigma Beta Chi sorority to the Sigma Beta Tau fraternity. According to www.nj.com, Kent was involved in a minor car accident driving northbound on the parkway at 9:43 p.m. He then got out of his car and climbed over the concrete divider to the southbound left lane and was struck by another vehicle. Kent attended Brookdale Community College where he earned his associates degree in architectural design. He entered Kean University in the Fall of 2007, and was majoring in Industrial Design. In the Fall of 2007, he also joined the Sigma Beta Tau Fraternity and served as an assistant new member educator. According to his many fraternity brothers, from the very start Kent took great pride in his fraternity membership. “He was one of the reasons why I joined this fraternity,” said Kyle Frankenfield, Kent’s “little brother” in the fraternity.

Frankenfield said that when Kent explained why he joined the Sigma Beta Tau fraternity, his answer caught Frankenfield’s attention and he then decided to join the fraternity.

“James is the type of person [who] can never be replaced.” Kent enjoyed the outdoors, whether snowboarding, surfing, hiking or camping. He made others feel welcome. Kent worked at Charlie Brown’s Restaurant in Scotch Plains and was an active member of the Church in Brielle’s youth (Continued on page 5) group and choir.

GRANDMA AND LITTLE SIS ARE OUTING YOU ON FACEBOOK (see pg. 8)

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: How Can Students Get an "A" in Your Class?

By kelley pennisi

Dr. Dennis Klein Director of Jewish Studies

Dr. Stephen Kubow Director of the Academic Success Center/associate professor of Chemistry

Jorge Sanchez Computer Science professor

Dr. Fred Fitch Communication Department

"Climb the stairs to your classroom. Take the initiative."

"In my classes, the keys are attending every class and doing the homework and studying on a regular basis, not cramming before every exam."

"The students must do the homework and come to class. They must also get good grades on the midterm and on the final."

"Students succeed by doing all the assignments and learning to apply theory to life. Students who are active in class are impressive."

Snow in March?

Arts & Entertainment

Girls Give Guys a Run for Their Money

The Golem

Student Organization Profile

Women's & Men's Sports

A Cage Fighting Gentleman

Editorial & Anger Management

March Madness: John & Jay's Picks

9 10/11 12

March 11, 2009 | The Tower

Snow in March? TV Meteorologist Lectures About Snowstorms By Jillian Johnson

If you thought February was bad this year, you should’ve been in New York City for the “Blizzard of 1888.” This winter may seem like a bad one, but actually winters in the Northeast used to be much worse, according to meteorologist and Weather Channel newscaster Paul Kocin who lectured at Kean University recently. On Feb.19, Kocin, a meteorologist at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and a climatologist, came to Kean to discuss winter storms and winter events in the mid-Atlantic area in a presentation hosted by the Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association (AMS/NWA). Kocin, the co-author of two books on snowstorms with Dr. Louis Uccellini, said winter temperatures have increased since 1970 most likely due to increased urbanization. Yet, we still get snowstorms. In fact, Kocin said of the top five ranked snowstorms ever, three took place somewhat recently: the top storm was in March of 1993, followed by one in January of 1996 and February of 2003. The other two giant snowstorms were in March of 1888 and February of 1899. Using the “Northeast Snowfall Impact

Scale,” (NESIS) which measures potential for human and economic disruption during and after a snowstorm, Kocin presented information on a myriad of snowstorms that have taken place and affected the Northeast and specifically, New Jersey. The most recent snowstorm took place on February 11 and 12, resulting in 26.9 inches of snow and affected areas such as Brooklyn He said the “Blizzard of 1888,” centered on New York City and lasted two-to-three days resulting in 36 inches of snow and 400 deaths. The temperature dropped to six degrees and winds gusted at 48 miles per hour. Next came the “Blizzard of February 1899,” in which New Jersey was one of the epicenters of this event, and roughly 19 inches of snow fell. Snowstorms have become legendary over time, even getting their own titles. On November 25, 1950 “The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950” struck and lasted roughly three days, taking place in Pittsburgh, PA. This was the greatest snowfall ever dumped in the city with roughly 28 inches of snow. On February 9, 1969 came the “Lindsay Snowstorm” in NYC (named after thenNYC Mayor John Lindsay) that resulted in roughly 15 inches of snow. The first President’s Day snowstorm took place on February 19, 1979 in which roughly 19 inches

of snow fell in parts of Washington, D.C. Another President’s Day snowstorm took place from February 15 to 17, 2003 and resulted in roughly 17 inches of snow affectPaul Kocin ing Washington, D.C. again. From March 12-15, 1993 was “Superstorm” that hit most of the eastern and southern parts of North America. From January 6 through January 8, 1996 was the “Blizzard of ‘96” that resulted in roughly 24 to 36 inches of snow in areas such as Boston and Washington. A warmer climate does not mean there will be less snow. Dr. Paul J. Croft of the Department of Geology and Meteorology, and the College of Natural, Applied and Health Sciences, a warming atmosphere might provide for a more ‘energized’ hydrologic cycle on an annual basis, allowing more moisture to be injected into the atmosphere and used in storm development. “When more moisture is available, the atmosphere tends to be more unstable and prone to storminess over time. This scenario would suggest a greater chance of large snowstorms occurring, or occur-

ring more frequently, as compared to the climate record,” said Croft. Croft also said that the environment and atmosphere help in the creation of an individual snowstorm, both of which are determined on a daily and seasonal basis by the earth and the orbiting around the sun. Also, many factors, which are coordinated on a time scale of hours, days and weeks, are to be taken into consideration in the creation of a snowstorm since each snowstorm has different characteristics. “A warmer climate could be associated with changes in rain and snow fall patterns, changes in the prevailing wind directions and speeds or their frequencies, and the occurrence of various phenomena,” said Dr. Croft. Kocin did not discuss global warming and its possible contributions to the increasing temperatures in the wintertime. However, Dr. Croft stated that two important factors must be understood in regards to global warming. First, climate is variable by nature. Second, changes in climate may be manifest in different ways. Although evidence shows a warming, more studies regarding the earth-atmosphere system are needed to clearly understand the impacts of global warming.

Event Planning Class Helps Launch Kean Conference By Jessie Rivera

Students from Professor Carol Stavraka’s Event Planning class are getting some realworld experience this month as planners and organizers of the 13th Annual New Jersey Communication Association conference, which is being held here Saturday, March 28. The class, COMM 4208, began discussing and preparing for the event at the start of the semester with the help of Dr. Fred Fitch, a Kean Communication professor and organizer of the conference here. Kean’s Department of Communication is hosting the event at the Center for Academic Success.

This kind of hands-on experience will help students in the real world, said Professor Stavraka. “I think that this is a great opportunity for our class to work on an important event for the university, as well as a fabulous way for Communication majors interested in Event Planning to get their ‘feet wet,’ if I may say so,” said Yolanda Grant, an adult student majoring in Communication. “Those interested in this field will have an opportunity to work on the planning and implementation of a nice size event.” Grant was put in a group responsible for the media aspects of the conference. They were to contact various newspapers on and off campus, one of which was The StarLedger, and write a press release as well as post announcements on the NJCA website. In the class, students were divided into project teams that oversaw several important areas of event planning, including Technology, Media & Participant Relations, Publications, Marketing and Event Logistics. Each student has had a role in planning and executing the event by writing press releases, marketing the conference on and off campus,

KEAN CHILDCARE

gathering items for a raffle, choosing/ordering gift items for attendees and suggesting menu choices for the day. On the day of the event, students are expected to spend the day from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., helping with setting things up, going through the registrations, greeting the attendees and guiding them around campus. This kind of hands-on experience will help students in the real world, said Professor Stavraka. “This is increasingly important in a world where strong communication skills are a must and those who communicate well have a clear, competitive advantage,” said Professor Stavraka. The NJCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the open exchange of ideas, information and research about communication. The conference theme, “Communicating for Connections: Instruction for Praxis,” focuses on helping faculty and students learn how to take the classroom experience and use it in the real world. Professor Sandra Petronio, Ph.D. of the Department of Communication Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis and Core Faculty in the Indiana University Center for Bioethics in the School of Medicine, is the keynote speaker. As a leading communication theorist, she will be speaking on “An Interpretation of Praxis: Translating Theory into Practice.” The NJCA Conference will feature presentations of scholarly papers focusing on all areas of communication studies including intercultural communication, health communication, organizational communication, mediated communication, mass communication, journalism and public relations. There will also be Roundtable Panel Discussions, Information Sessions and Networking Opportunities. For more information or to register for the conference, students should stop by the Communication Department Office (CAS 402) or visit the conference Website at http:// njca.rutgers.edu/about/welcome.html.

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tion to encourage children to take their interests to higher levels and learn from them. The approach also offers learning through math, literacy, science and social studies activities. As a representation of their work, the children create drawings, paintings and sculptures. Many projects are created from the children’s’ explorations. The child care center uses Kean’s many facilities. “We cook and bake with Chef Mark, at-

tend physical education classes with the [Physical Education] Club, take walks to Liberty Hall, participate in music class with the music major students and have read-ins with the Early Childhood Club,” Berkowitz said. The Child Care Center works with the faculty and students of the Department of Early Childhood and Family Studies in conjunction with the College of Education. “We also have an advantage that we

are a laboratory school, which means we work closely with the Early Childhood and Family Studies department in the College of Education, demonstrating best early childhood practices and research in the field, which sets us apart from other centers,” Berkowitz said. The center accepts children between the ages of two-and-a-half to five years old for its Pre-K school and from age 3-12 for after-school care. Hours of operation are 7:45am to 5pm. Evening care hours are

4:15pm-8pm Monday through Friday during academic semesters only. Pre-enrollment forms may be picked up at the center or downloaded from the Website found on Kean.edu. For more information on the Reggio Emilia approach, visit Brainy-child.com The center did not detail its rates, which vary with the program, but Berkowitz said rates for Kean children will be different from the rates to the public.

The Tower | March 11, 2009

Jewish Studies Event Explores Culture, History and Policy By Lisa Martinez

As medieval legend has it, in the 16th Century the long persecuted Jews made a massive creature from clay that would come to life and overwhelm their enemies when needed. This legend, called The Golem, is featured in a film of the same name to be shown tonight—March 11—at Kean Hall, accompanied by an original music score performed by a seven-piece orchestra. The Golem, a silent German film released in 1920, was directed by Paul Wegener. “The Golem mystical legend in Jewish lore is very powerful,” said Dr. Dennis Klein, director of the Jewish Studies Program at Kean and organizer of the event. “Emerging during the Middle Ages, it expresses a deep rescue fantasy for a magical savior. The 1920 film is a German expressionist interpretation of this Jewish narrative, with German defeat in World War I and economic failure as its back-story. With live, orchestral accompaniment, the film evokes a timeless wish for durable protection from real and imagined persecution.” The film is the first of three events

Pick up The Tower at these locations: • Administration Building, First floor lobby • Bruce Hall, First Floor Lounge • Center for Academic Success, Lobby • Communications Department Office, CAS 402 • ESL Office, Willis Hall 301 • Harwood Arena, by the basketball courts • Hutchinson Hall, First Floor Lobby • Hennings Hall, First Floor Lobby • Science Building, First Floor in hallway between Rooms 121 and 122 • Technology Building, hallway inside front door

Poster from the film, The Golem.

sponsored by the Jewish Studies program. All of them are free of charge to students and faculty with a Kean ID, and also open to the public for a small fee. Tonight's show, for instance, is $15 at the door without a Kean ID. The second event, in conjunction with the Kean Concert Artists/ Department of Music, is scheduled for March 26 and is

a 25th anniversary homage to the life and work of Paul Ben-Haim (1897-1984). Ben-Haim, an Israeli composer, escaped Nazi Germany and immigrated to Palestine where he led a group of Palestinian musicians. Ben-Haim and the group of Palestinian musicians developed a combination of European and Mediterranean musical traditions. Ben-Haim’s symphony, First Symphony, composed in 1940, is the first symphony to be composed in Palestine. In 1948, he became an important figure in Israel’s musical life and won the prestigious Israel Prize in 1957. The performance of Ben-Haim’s work will include commentary by WQXR-FM classical music radio host, Annie Bergen, about Ben-Haim’s life and work. Also included is film footage from Israeli archives and the performance by Kean Concert Artists of Ben-Haim’s most important works. Special guest Shulamit Ran, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and Andrew MacLeish, Distinguished Service Professor of Composition at the University of Chicago, will be attending. It is also open to the public for a $15 advance ticket; $20 at the door. The third and final event will be a two-

day conference held on April 2 and 3, entitled “Historical Perspectives & Public Policy: How Old Rules Fare in a New World Order.” The conference will explore how policy makers often consult the past to inform or justify their political decisions. Noah Feldman, a law professor at Harvard, will be discussing his presentation, “Nation Building: Breaking the Paradigm in the Middle East,” on April 2 at 8 p.m. in the Little Theatre. The two-day conference costs $50; separate events are less. Events on April 3 at Downs Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. include the presentation, “Past Obsessions: World War Two in History and Memory," by Carol Gluck, George Sansom Professor of History at Columbia University. Mark E. Lender, professor of history and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Kean University, will present “The American Revolution and Today: When Lessons Form.” At a luncheon, the last speaker, Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize winner and professor at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, will lecture on “U.S. Foreign Policy in an Age of Terror: Can Genocide be Stopped?”

Kean's Lienau Is a Cage Fighting Gentleman By Jillian Johnson

His chivalry shows on the outside, but his fight unleashes in the cage. Kean student Gordon Lienau, a junior majoring in health and physical education at Kean University, comes across as a kind-hearted guy, but no one would expect this gentle hand to hold a 4-0-0 cage fighting record. “[I started cage fighting] to get some competition and spice in my life,” said Lienau, who began cage fighting in 2005 and added that he began cage fighting to develop self-discipline. Lienau trained in Serbia every summer for eight years with a family friend, Predrag, who taught him self- defense moves, such as take downs, submissions, avoidance and where to fall on the mat when fighting. He also taught Lienau jujitsu, which helped Lienau earn a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jujitsu. Lienau described his training with Predrag as “brutal.” As tough as Predrag was on Lienau, Lienau stated that his training helped him become a better fighter. From this experience, he decided to begin cage fighting. “You need to have your mind set, you need to have a strategy in tact…you have to believe in yourself in order to get something done…never underestimate anyone and anything,” said Lienau. According to Lienau, cage fighting is

knee and Lienau reacted with a reverse sidekick to the left side of his opponent’s head. Although Lienau won the fight, his left knee required surgery because of a torn cartilage. In the middle of September 2007, PRIDE, a fighting association in Japan,

In cage fighting, almost every type of move is legal. Gordon Lienau looks like any other student outside his cage fights.

when two people with different martial arts experiences fight to see who the best is. Lienau explained that the fight takes place in an octagon-shaped cage, roughly seven to eight feet tall. The competitors wear padded gloves and shorts. Almost every type of move is legal except for cheap shots, which are movements such as low blows and eye pokes. The winner is determined by “tapping out,” in which a person taps three times to get out, submission or wins by decision. The rounds are roughly three to five minutes long, or two fiveminute rounds can take place. In May 2006, Lienau met his fellow cage fighting friends, who also trained with Predrag. In August of 2007, he earned his fourth victory. During his last fight, Lienau said that his opponent kicked his left

called Lienau because of his record and asked him to fight in Japan. Lienau was unable to attend because of his then-recent knee surgery, his studies and his limited interest in traveling to Japan. Aside from cage fighting, Lienau has also taught self-defense classes. From the summer of 2007 to the summer of 2008, he taught self-defense in Scotch Plains, NJ, his hometown. He charged $45 per hour at the students’ houses and taught punches, kicks, take downs and submissions. “I’m always up for teaching students personally,” said Lienau. Lienau currently no longer participates in cage fighting or martial arts, but is willing to teach anyone who is interested in self-defense. He can be contacted at lienaug@kean.edu.

• Tower Newsroom, CAS 413 • University Center, across from the cafeteria entrance • Townsend Hall, First Floor reception area • Vaughn-Eames Hall, First Floor Lobby • Willis Hall, First Floor, across from the elevator

Professors: Tell Us About Your New Classes Attention Kean professors! The Tower wants to tell the campus community about new course offerings for Fall 2009. Please send the course name, department, and a brief description to thetower@kean.edu. The course will be published in a listing of new courses in the April edition.

March 11, 2009 | The Tower

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Concert Review: Kean Shines in the Big Apple By Raquel Fernandes

Walking past the lights at Columbus Circle in New York City, meeting people with common musical interests, and sharing stories of past performances were just a few of the things concert-goers experienced at the Concert Artists performance at Merkin Hall on Thursday, February 19. The 350-plus audience members in attendance, comprising the general public, Kean students and faculty, as well as faculty and students from the nearby Julliard School, were ushered into an experience that had all of the novelty of a New York City performance with the familiarity of what Concert Artist fans have grown accustomed from concerts in the past. The concert began with solo works performed by guest pianist Joseph Kalichstein. The opening piece was Chopin’s Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38. If Chopin

“…an experience that had all of the novelty of a New York City performance.” intended to compose a piece demonstrating the virtuosity of the performer, he certainly succeeded. Kalichstein’s play was clean, articulate and fast, but also passionate and sensitive. Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words followed and were equally lovely, but his

CD Review: Into "The Fray" By Robert M. Pereira

The sound on the sophomore album by soft-rockers from Denver, The Fray, is without a doubt similar to that of their first album How to Save a Life. However, it is clear the lyrics on the new self-titled al-

bum in many ways incite the listener into doing a little soul-searching. The mournful lyrics from the first album remain as well as the soulful sounds of the piano. The albums first track, Syndicate, includes a catchy mix of piano and drums

in a song where you can understand and relate to the theme of holding on in tough times. The debut hit single You Found Me is undeniably the best track on the new record. It is mainly focused on questions such as why bad things happen to good people. It’s the most relatable song on the album, solid and emotional. In this song, Isaac asks God why he wasn’t there when he most needed him: “Where were you when everything was falling apart?” The lyrics to this song emphasize the heartbreak and hopelessness one feels many times in our lives. Above all, You Found Me inspires the listener to stay strong and remain hopeful. Overall The Fray’s new album presents some more of the soothing piano melodies of the first album, along with a new edge of personal and emotional lyrics. The Fray will go on a Summer Tour with special guests Jack’s Mannequin beginning June 12 in Georgia and ending August 7 in Washington. The Fray will be playing in numerous U.S. cities including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

POETRY CONTEST The Department of English would like to announce The Annual Kean University Poetry Contest, sponsored this year by the Academy of American Poets, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Department of English. First Place - $100 Second Place - $50 Third Place - $25 ALL currently enrolled Kean University students are eligible to submit up to five poems. For submission guidelines visit: www.kean.edu/~english/poetry.html. Paper copies of guidelines are also available at CAS 225. DEADLINE for Submission: Thursday, March 12th, 2009. For more information contact: Dr. Maria Montaperto,Poetry Contest Chair poetryc@kean.edu 908.737.0368

Fantasy in F-sharp minor, Op. 28 stole the acclaim for the first half. Equally as impressive as the other pieces in this half, with technical ability and emotional vigor, Mendelssohn finished the final presto movement with fast musical figures, executed so fluidly by Kalichstein, that audience members couldn’t help but applaud loudly as the first half of the concert came to a close. The second half of the concert featured Joseph Kalichstein, piano; Sharon Roffman, violin; Brett Buebner, viola; Susannah Chapman, cello; and Anthony Scelba, double bass. This ensemble performed Schubert’s well-known Trout Quintet. This is where Kalichstein’s skill really shined. Even more than his solo presentation, Kalichstein’s abilities as a chamber musician gave the performance body and balance as no instrument seemed overpowered by another, which made it easy to hear the

character of each instrument. The overall ensemble performed marvelously with energy and excitement. If you missed this concert, you still have one more chance to hear the Concert Artists play at Merkin Hall. The upcoming concert entitled 19th Century Paris will feature works by well-known French composers, including George Onslow and Hector Berlioz. This concert is a musical depiction of Parisian high-art in the 1800s. The program comprises instrumental chamber music, a string quartet and a duet for clarinet and piano, and a collection of songs for soprano voice and piano. Tickets are available at the Wilkins Theatre box office or online at www.keanstage.com. For more information about the Kean Concert Artists program, visit their website at www.keanconcertartists. com.

Movie Review: Maybe "He's Just Not That Into You" By Kelly Pennisi

Have you ever had the absolute perfect date? The food was delicious, great conversation, hand-holding—the works. Then the date ends. You kiss on the cheek or hug and you both go your separate ways, but you leave believing you will hear from the person again—or so you think. A day passes by. Another day passes by. Okay, so maybe he is busy, but guess what? If he is not calling you, then maybe he’s just not that into you. Based on the bestselling novel by Greg Behrendt this movie is a guide for every woman who was ever left by the phone waiting for a guy to call or simply, just left trying to figure out the male code. The cast consists of Jennifer Anniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlet Johansson, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Justin Long. Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck, and Ginnifer Goodwin. All these people are all living in Baltimore trying to figure out their lives while still trying to figure out their loves. This is a funny movie of phone tagging, sexy affairs, and heartbreaking laughter. Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Gigi, a hopeless romantic who thinks she has just had the perfect date with a guy named Conor (Kevin Connolly). Afterwards, she is left simply confused as to why Conor is not “into her”. Later, she meets Conor’s roommate, Alex, (Justin Long) who throughout the movie teaches Gigi the rules of the male code while at the same time is falling for her. Ben (Bradley Cooper) plays Neil’s best friend who is caught in the middle of an unhappy marriage and ends up falling for, Anna, a sultry singer (Scarlett Johanssen) who is trying to making it big in the song-writing business. Ben’s wife Janine, (Jennifer Connolly) at the same time, is grieving of the loss of her father

while still trying to keep her marriage afloat, unaware that her husband is having an affair. Drew Barrymore plays Mary, a funloving, vintage-style girl who plays best friend to Anna. All Mary wants is to find a nice guy. Although she never gives up, she finds herself exhausted by the world of dating’s phone-tags, emails and general lost-in-cyberspace world. Neil (Ben Affleck) and Beth (Jennifer Aniston) play a couple that has lived together in an apartment for seven years. Although happy, Beth is frustrated that Neil has not popped the question. Neil, on the other hand feels that there is no reason for him to show his commitment with a ring since Beth should already know how he feels. In the end, laughter will be heard and tears might even be shed. Some lessons will be learned: if you’re persisting and he’s not calling, then maybe, he’s just not that into you.

The Tower | March 11, 2009

AROUND CAMPUS Rachel's Rave: Rocky Mountain High at Colordo Café By Rachel Rothspan

Just beyond the Kean Campus there are lights, music and people of all ages having a good time. The floor is covered with twirling bodies jumping and moving to the methodical rhythms that beat through the body and into the soul. For those of you who like to relax and hang out, the dining area is the place to be still, whether sitting, standing, or chatting with new friends and old buddies. It may not sound like your average Sunday night, but with a ride to the Colorado Café in Watchung and ten dollars, it could be. The Colorado Café, located at 154 Bonnie Burn Road, right next to the Blue Star shopping center, is a club, a dance hall and a restaurant. While the restaurant offers a fine dining experience, the back is set up for dance parties every night of the week except for Monday and Tuesday. Thursday nights are Salsa night, Friday nights are Rock night, but Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday are reserved for line dancing, one of the most unique features that the café offers. Sunday nights are the best night for beginners since Wednesday’s and Saturday’s

are for the more serious dancers over twenty one. There are lessons for two of the dances at 7:30, but the newcomers are not strictly held to just those songs. The crowd is friendly, welcoming and ready to aid in teaching every dance. Many of the dances include the same basic steps. If you can pick up on them, then you can figure out how to do many of the other dances. Each dance is for a specific song and called by that name. Two Sundays ago, I held my skeptical head high as I paid the five dollars for the cover charge and received my pink, sparkly bracelet (there are two bracelets, sparkly for over 21 and checkered for under). As Sunday night is family friendly, the little kids who raced past me seemed more excited than I felt. I was concerned with my two left feet, my inability to turn, and my uncanny ability to fall on my face. However, it was just a few minutes before I pulled myself out of the dining area, in which there is a five dollar per person minimum for sitting at the tables, and planted myself in between two seasoned dancers for the lesson. I found the pace to be slow enough that I could catch on, but fast enough that I was never bored. I had a

Community Policing Unit

great time trying to pick up each step. When the actual dancing started, my friends and I hung to the edges of the room, where many beginners were encouraged to watch or try to pick up the steps. I tried a few small ones on my own and found myself being pulled in by some of the others who were already out. Overall, the level of patience and support was incredible; complete strangers were teaching us to dance. Some of the guys in the group didn’t have any interest in spending their time out on the floor (although the dance floor was split guys and girls) so they stayed up by the table. They chatted and laughed, eating good food and enjoying the company of one another and others that we met while we were there. Few places offer such a warm atmosphere and the opportunity for college students to meet people of all ages for a reasonable price. The Colorado Café was not only an especially fun hangout, but also a good idea for repeat nights. The group that I went with is heading back next week. I hope we see you there.

• Wednesday: Line Dancing (21 and over, experienced) • Thursday: Salsa Night • Friday: Rock Night • Saturday: Line Dancing (21 and over, experienced) • Sunday: Line Dancing for beginners Sports Bar: (21 and over) • Wednesday: Mechanical Bull Rides, $5.00; Karaoke (9:00 p.m.) • Friday: Mechanical Bull Rides, $5.00 • Saturday: Mechanical Bull Rides, $5.00; Live bands (10:00 p.m.) The Colorado Café also offers packages for special events For more events visit: www.coloradocafe.com

PROFILE BRIEF: Student Org’s herman leads the way By Kevin Adams

By Kevin Adams

can benefit the Kean community. The CPU so far has already received a The Community Policing here at Kean is good response from the organizations, reaching out to all students and organiza- he said. The groups have already started tions to join them in promoting safety and planning dates for events. alcohol awareness on campus. “We strongly encourage anyone to conOfficer Donald Ship, the youngest man tact us, if they have any ideas that can currently on the Kean force, said he, Officer help benefit the Kean campus or want to Randy Diakuncparticipate in any zak and Sergeant of our activities David Lopez, all events”. of the CPU, are Officer Ship working with the and his colleagues traffic bureau led want to work with by Sergeant Brett the students and Wyatt to provide their organizathe programs. Oftions on campus ficer Ship said that because they feel the group would it’s important like to work with that they are seen any organization as partners in Community Policing unit at Kean. or individual stuprotecting student on campus who wants to help. He said dents. They also are looking out for every any help qualifies as a community service, student’s safety, he said. Students need to and the CPU will sign off on it. Officer Ship be partners in their own protection; they encourages organizations to take this op- need to be aware of the dangers and risks portunity because this can also show the in life, as well as the consequences of poor university and other students that they are actions. Lastly, the police do not want the trying to make a difference. campus community to be afraid of the “The CPU has always been here but now people who are protecting them. it is taking off to the next level, thanks to “I do this because I feel a tight bond my partners and additional Chief David [with] the campus community being that W. Parks” says Officer Ship. I just graduated college not that long ago The events can be held any time myself,” Officer Ship said. throughout the spring and fall semesters. For any one that would like to speak The events include safety programs such with the CPU about ideas or events, Ofas a so-called “ drunken goggle” course ficer Ship says to go to the Community that educates students with the use of Policing Unit resource center located at that show you how intoxication impairs Police Headquarters. They can also be you. Officer Diakunczak is looking at the reached via email at keancpu@kean.edu. programs in other universities to determine whether any of the programs used

Dancing Room:

Fast-Facts: Name: Scott Herman Student Org title: President Age: 21 Current Year: Senior Hometown: Somerville Favorite Sport: Basketball Favorite Star: Michael Jordan Why did you choose the student organization? Because I felt that it was my turn to give back. In high school I did not get involved and since my freshman I realized that this could be my opportunity to make the best with my life. Student organization gives me the opportunity to show my leadership qualities. If you could meet any leader dead or alive who would it be? George Washington because he is the best leader to ever live. He built this country and set the example of how a real leader should be. Aside from his leadership qualities he was also very smart and knew how to please the majority of people. That’s how I would like to be viewed as leader. This is the second piece in a series of brief profiles on student government leaders at Kean.

KEAN MOURNS

(Continued from page 1)

Family members and friends attended Kent’s wake at O’Brien Funeral Home in Brick on Monday, February 23. On Tuesday, February 24 at 9 p.m., Kent’s immediate family, fraternity brothers, friends, and members of other fraternities and sororities at Kean, stood at Tau’s rock garden by Kean’s basketball courts to say farewell to him. Campus minister, known as Father Thomas Blind, said a prayer and Mike Sanchez, president of Sigma Beta Tau, celebrated the memories

shared between Kent and others. Sigma Beta Chi, the sister sorority of Sigma Beta Tau, brought white roses to the ceremony. Kent is survived by his mother and step-father, Sandra A. and Robert F. Young; his brother Scott D; step-brother, Sean P. Young, and his wife, Nicole, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and niece. “James is the type of person [who] can never be replaced,” said Kaelblein.

Spring Break Means Bathing Suit By Dawn M. Phillips

Summer is near and what better way to welcome it than with a healthy, sexy body. While many people may choose not to eat healthy and exercise, it is very important. Commitment and consistency are essential to obtain ultimate health and fitness. Exercise and a healthy diet will bring great satisfaction if followed correctly. According to helpguide. org, a website about healthy living, good health begins with eating smart. Also, it’s not just what you eat, but when you eat. For instance, it recommends starting your day with a healthy breakfast to jump start your metabolism. In a hurry? Don’t have time for breakfast? Grab a piece of fruit, a cereal, a granola bar or even a glass of orange juice. Breakfast is, in fact, the most important meal of the day. To keep your metabolism up throughout the day and ward off snacking, some advise eating six, small meals a day instead of three, large meals. Ditch the soda that is filled with sugar and try water, vitamin water or even Gatorade. Fruit juices, which have many antioxidants that can benefit the body, can be high in sugar so look for juices that are sugar-free or low in sugar. Water helps cleanse your system of toxins and waste. It also fills you up so you won’t eat as much. Milk also does the body good and is filled with calcium for strong bones. Eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They are filled with the vitamins and minerals you need to get on the road to good health. Moderation is a key component in a diet. You can still enjoy sweets and fried foods, but be aware of your intake. We often think eating healthy is boring. With that in mind, why not spice it up a bit? Instead of ice cream for dessert, try a bowl of strawberries and low-fat Cool Whip. Try wheat bread instead of white bread, or a pita sandwich with your usual turkey and cheese. Instead of a bag of chips try Chex mix or trail mix, which contains nuts, raisins, pretzels, M&M’s and a host of other goodies. Be creative. Make healthy eating fun. Instead of your usual supermarket, try a Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or Wegmans. In conjunction with a healthy diet, exercise is advised. Cardio, Cardio, Cardio will burn calories faster than you think, says one student who enjoys exercise. “Cardio is one of the main keys to achieving the body you want,” said Kerreshe Dailey, a senior at Kean majoring in Communication. Kickboxing, running on the treadmill, riding a bike, dancing, boxing, swimming and basketball are fun activities that will keep you in shape. Don’t have time? Utilize your time by incorporating exercise in your daily life. Forget the elevator and take the stairs to the fourth floor. Park your car at the end of the lot so you can walk further to class. Dr. Palgi, director of Physical Education at Kean said that the average person complains that he or she does not have time to exercise. But, that person needs to find the time. “If it is important to you, you will do it. Life is about making decisions,” said Dr. Palgi. Dr. Palgi has a simple diet formula: calories in = calories out. He advises not taking in extra calories that you cannot burn off. For him, fitness involves four components: 1) muscular strength and endurance; 2) flexibility; 3) aerobics; and 4) body composition. He recommends exercising 3 to 5 days a week for 20 to 60 minutes. “Students need to become educated consumers regarding the food they eat,” said Dr. Palgi. While most students may not be able to afford a gym membership, Kean offers a gym located in the Harwood Arena, free of charge. If you are uncomfortable exercising with a lot of people, try exercising

Season is Near Photography and layout by Ana Maria Silverman

in the comfort of your home. Work up a sweat with jumping jacks, pushups, crunches, dancing, squats, lunges and shadow boxing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests strengthening muscles and bones at least two days a week. They propose activities that work all different parts of the body including your legs, hips, back, chest, stomach, shoulders and arms. These can include lifting weights, sit-ups, working with resistance bands (long, wide rubber bands) and even heavy gardening or shoveling snow. They also recommend staying safe while exercising. Here are a few tips: • If you haven’t been active in a while, start slowly and build up. • Learn about the types and amount of activities that are right for you. • Choose activities that are appropriate for your fitness level. • Build up the time you spend before switching to activities that take more effort. • Use the right safety gear and sports equipment. • Choose a safe place to do your activities. • See a health care provider if you have a health problem. Healthy eating and regular exercise equals living longer. Hope to see you at the Harwood Arena gym.

March 11, 2009 | The Tower

EDITORIAL

The Tower Department of Communication

SPRING BREAK—FINALLY Spring break could not come at a better time. Students have just about had it with papers, homework, and early mornings. For some lucky few, spring break means a time to go away and enjoy the sunshine of the Caribbean. But for others, that may not be the case. There are many different activities for a student who is not taking a vacation this spring break. Just because you are not going to Cancun or the Bahamas you can still have a nice, relaxing mini-vacation right in your own home. First thing you should do is take off a day of work. Many students plan on working as much as they can this break because they want the money. They figure why not work while you have the time? But what kind of break is it if you work all the time? Take a day or two off just to have time for yourself or to be with friends and family. Why not take a trip into the city? It is only a train ride away for many students and it’s affordable. Visit Times Square or Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Try the Museum of Modern Art or The Metropolitan Museum of Art for some relaxing time to view some beautiful art. Atlantic City is another place you could go for a night or two. Many rooms have deals this time of year. You could take $20 and sit at the penny slots all day, while being served free beverages, of course. If you are not the gambling type, there is a decent-sized boardwalk that you can walk down as well as many outlet stores you could visit. Many of the outlets have good deals so you won’t be spending too much money. However, you don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to. Sit and read a good book or catch a movie that you have wanted to see. Just because you are not lounging on an island or partying on a cruise does not mean that your spring break is shot. It is time to do exactly what spring break is meant for: taking a break. So stay up late, sleep even later and enjoy your week off. Many of us deserve it and need it to survive the next few months of school. Kelly Nemeth Editor-in-Chief

Kean University Center for Academic Success 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 Telephone: (908) 737-0468 Fax: (908) 737-0465 Email: thetower@kean.edu

The Tower is an independent, laboratory newspaper of Kean University’s print journalism option in the communication major program. It is published biweekly through the regular academic year and supported by advertising and the Department of Communication. The Tower is not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. The Tower is a public forum and is free from censorship and advance approval of content by the university administration. The Tower staff is responsible for its content. Editor-in-Chief Kelly Nemeth Deputy Editor Jill Johnson Sports Editor Nicole Von Gonten Arts and Entertainment Editor Raquel Fernandes Staff Kevin Adams John Cherry Charley Falkenburg Lisa Martinez Lillie Morales-Torres Kelly Pennisi

Robert Pereira Dawn Phillips Aydin Reyhan Carlos Reynosa Jessie Rivera Rachel Rothspan Ana Maria Silverman Copy Editor Jay Hicks Business Manager Egdanis Torres-Dominicci Faculty Adviser Pat Winters Lauro Designer Stephanie Skirvin

Opinion pieces and letters to the editor The Tower welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor from any source. Such material should be submitted to tower@kean.edu or left at The Tower’s offices. To verify sources of written material, submissions must include the writer’s name and contact information. Students should include their class (sophomore, graduate, etc.) and major. Faculty and staff should include campus title or position. On request, names may be withheld from publication if The Tower staff determines there is a legitimate reason to do so, but no anonymous letters will be accepted for publication. The Tower reserves the right to edit, and refuse publication of any submission.

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Tower publication schedule Spring: Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, Mar. 11, Apr. 8, Apr. 29.

ANGER MANAGEMENT GRANDMA AND LITTLE SIS ARE OUTING YOU ON FACEBOOK By Kelly Nemeth

Facebook used to be a website where college students could talk to fellow Kean students or students from different colleges. Students were able to post pictures, write comments, or just share their thoughts. It was a site where mature college students could say or do what they wanted and not have to worry about outsiders. Those days are long gone. When you go on Facebook now, you are bombarded with friend requests from students in high school and even grammar school. Middle school kids and high schoolers are flooding the site with immature videos and pointless photos of juvenile. Silly me, I thought I had left that kid stuff behind in high school. Granted, there are some pictures and posts by college students that can be just as juvenile, but often they are the kind of antics they wouldn’t want it to be seen by their little brothers and sisters, or worse, their parents. What is it with all these parents getting Facebook? What do they do, sit at work and read the posts of their children about their hangovers and beer pong games? There is no reason for a 20-something’s mother to write on her wall, “Have a great day honey! Love you!” for all the rest of the students to see. It is embarrassing and unnecessary. Many would say the way to avoid this is by not accepting their “friend” request. But how do you reject your own mother? And what does that say? That says you are blatantly hiding

something on your page that you don’t want your family members to see. What happens is they then continue to request you as a friend, and begin to bring it up in normal conversation. “Why didn’t you accept me on Facebook?” is not a question you want your mother to ask. What are you going to say? “Because there is a video of me running down the street in titey-whities with one of those funnel hats on?” Facebook is becoming a way to add fuel to fires that should not be ignited. Already, the news feed has been the beginning of the end for many friendships and relationships. It has allowed boyfriends to question girlfriends about how many wall posts they have with other guys, or a way for girlfriends to secretly check up on their boyfriends and their “hidden intentions” with the girl who wrote on their walls. It definitely causes unnecessary drama and arguments. But now young kids and oldies? Facebook still should remain a place for college students only. We don’t need Grandma sending a poke message every morning or Mom commenting on how adorable you look in every picture or how disappointed she is about the beer in your hand. Parents need to stay away from Facebook and keep the young kids out too. This is our generation now; allow us to have our fun.

The Tower | March 11, 2009

OPINIONS

Being a Lefty Isn't Easy By Casey Murphy

It’s not easy being a lefty and I’m not talking politics. I’m talking hands. Left-handed people lack materials that the right-handed have at their fingertips. School desks are made for righties. And golf clubs? Forget about it. They’re very hard to find. Take Art Kazmierczak, a Kean University History Education major. He said that every semester, he has to buy special materials just to accommodate his left-handedness. For example, he buys scissors made for lefties and flip-over binders so his hand won’t ache from the spirals. Kazmierczak also said that being a

southpaw is a disadvantage in his personal training as a martial artist, although it certainly hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his avocation.

One advantage is that lefthanded people use the right side of their brain more. Kazmierczak says he tries to focus more on the advantages of being left-handed. One advantage is that left-handed people use the right side of their brain more, which is considered the side that controls

linguistics. Kazmierczak said that being a lefty makes him feel more creative. Mina Kirst, a junior majoring in Mathematics, is ambidextrous, but knows the disadvantages of lefties.

“I changed to writing to the right-hand because of back pain,” said Kirst. However, she refuses to switch to her right hand to use scissors because she is too afraid she might cut herself. Jon Reilly, a junior majoring in Speech Pathology said being a lefty is messy. “You get lead all over your palm, when writing with pencil obviously,” said Reilly. Reilly also said that he cannot prepare food the same as a right handed person. “I get made fun of whenever I spread anything on bread,” said Reilly. “My mom offers to help me stir.” So, what’s one benefit to being a lefty? “It’s a good conversation piece,” said Reilly.

Don't Let "Them" Get You Down By Rachel Rothspan

It’s a double standard that if you spend your Saturday nights out on the town drinking away your weekly troubles they view you as a problem to society. You’re viewed that you should clean up your act and do something with your life. But, if you’re the type that would rather sit home and watch a movie, they claim you’re boring and that you need to get out more often. What’s worse is that “they” are everywhere. Who are “they?” They are teachers, parents and New Jersey Transit workers. Simply put, they are adults who feel that youth is wasted on the young and they are more than ready to convict college students for not knowing how to live their lives. Once upon a time, we were children who were allowed to create our own interests, dreams, and opinions. Now everything that we do or say is analyzed on a careful scale. We are held up to an impossible standard and we are discouraged from pursuing the things that might make our futures brighter. When we were younger and wanted to be astronauts, our parents smiled with joy at their child’s creativity. But now when we

reach for the stars, we are shot down and pushed aside. Of course, stereotypes have to start somewhere. And I will admit that there are some students who get drunk and do stupid things. There are others who sit home and never imagine going anywhere in life, but it’s a minority. Most students have interests outside the party circuit with dreams and aspirations that could change the world if we were encouraged and given the chance. We aren’t looking for the world to pat us on the back and tell us that we are doing great. Instead, most of us are just looking for an opportunity to get out into the world and share what we have wrapped up inside our heads. So here’s what I propose: I say that we continue to work towards our goals no matter what anyone says. I know we are young, but I don’t think that should limit us. Instead, let’s make it our driving force. We, the college students of Kean University especially, should push ahead with our ideas and forget what anyone else says. It’s our world that we’re creating, so we should make it a good one. And if your idea of a party is reading a book on a Saturday night, then I say you’ve found the secret to youth already.

Girls Give Guys a Run for Their Money By Charley Falkenburg

Competition in sports and activities are fiercer than ever in today’s times. Although certain sports and hobbies are geared toward men, women are quickly making up a large number of participants in male dominated activities. Even though girls are allowed to join any sport they want, it isn’t always that easy. Girls that go out for their school’s wrestling team are often looked at as different and odd. People usually question the

Slowly, girls are trading in their ballet slippers for BMX bikes and hockey sticks. ladies that want to take up boxing or football. Girls that voice their interest in becoming body builders are looked at like they have five heads. So why are these fierce female contenders laughed at and shrugged off? Women in male dominated activities are not taken seriously. Being a girl who is heavily into the American muscle car scene, I can speak from experience. I have been into drag racing for a couple of years and I have 1987 Pontiac Trans Am with a built engine with about 450 horsepower, mint body, strong transmission, and built rear end gears. I won’t bore you with details, but I know a lot more about cars and their fundamentals than most guys. Here’s a typical scene: My male friend and I

drive to a Wawa and I get out of the driver seat. The guys standing outside immediately run over to my friend and tell him what an awesome car he has and question him about it. I stand there fuming. Even when I’m driving the car on the highway, guys pull up next to me and ask me if my daddy let me borrow the car for the day. My personal favorite is when a guy asked me what I ran at the track. I told him I ran a 12.3 with a bad launch and told me that the time wasn’t bad for a girl to achieve. Yes, people like that really do exist out there. I can talk about camshafts, superchargers, and different kinds of transmissions until I’m blue in the face and guys still don’t give me credit. Kym Nadonley, a student at Middlesex County College, is an avid skateboarder and likes to compete in skateboarding competitions. “Yeah, guys don’t really consider me a threat,” she says, “They usually tell me not to chip my nail polish”. In high school, my school’s wrestling team had one brave girl who joined despite the jeers and snide comments. Even the coach wasn’t really fond of the idea of having a female participant and the odds were against her, she often beat her opponents in her weight class. Slowly, girls are trading in their ballet slippers for BMX bikes and hockey sticks. Rude comments and flippant attitudes won’t deter women from pursuing their interests. So all of you ladies that are letting the fear of people’s thoughts prevent you from picking up a pair of boxing gloves, ignore them. Do what you love, not what other people think you should love. Although girls have to work twice as hard to earn the same respect, surprising the people that doubt you is a reward in itself.

As the stock market continues to tumble and layoffs persist, college students are facing bleak prospects. Hiring freezes and older workers clinging to jobs as their retirement savings shrink make finding jobs after graduation exceptionally hard. The nation, which always looks to young people for inspiration, is watching to see how college students will handle the challenges. Fortunately, many remain optimistic. A recent study of 12,000 students reported that

more than half are confident they’ll be employed within three months of graduation. But the same study, released Wednesday by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, showed that employers expected to hire 22 percent fewer graduates this year than they hired from the class of 2008. Of the employers surveyed, 67 percent said they expected to alter their hiring plans for the class of 2009, and nearly a quarter don’t intend to hire any graduates. Creating opportunities for the nation’s best and brightest should be high on the agenda as policy makers in Washington, state capitals and communities plan for the spending of stimulus funds and creation of jobs.

March 11, 2009 | The Tower

SPORTS

Lady Cougars Fall Just One Win Short of NJAC Championship By Nicole VonGonten

In their regular season finale, the Lady Cougars traveled to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) to battle for the top seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Southern Division. TCNJ jumped out to an early lead but the Lady Cougars kept the Lady Lions close throughout the half. Kean came close to gaining the lead when it got within one point, 10-9, on a three-pointer by Cardiss Jackman. TCNJ’s defense held Kean for the rest of the first half and the home team led, 36-27, at halftime. The Lady Cougars encountered the same problem in the second half as TCNJ held on to the lead. The Lady Lions expanded the lead to 10 early in the second half but Kean got to within four, 46-42, on a shot by Danielle Brown with 12 minutes to play. The four-point deficit would prove the closest the Lady Cougars could muster. TCNJ bolted to another wide lead as the second half wound down and secured a 73-61 triumph and took the NJAC Southern Division crown from Kean. The Lady Cougars hosted the first round of the NJAC Tournament against a familiar foe, Rutgers-Newark. After a back-and-forth battle early in the first half, Kean seized control. Angelica Bermudes gave Kean a 15-4 margin on a smooth layup with 12 minutes to play. A three-pointer by Olivia Triano with less than four minutes to play helped fatten Kean’s lead to 27 points, the largest during the first half, 34-7. The Lady Cougars took a comfortable 34-10 score into halftime.

The Lady Cougars battled a familiar foe in the first round of the NJAC Tournament, Rutgers-Newark.

Jackman thickened Kean’s lead to 30 points early in the second half with a three-pointer and the Lady Cougars dominated throughout the second half, leading by as many as 39 points. Kean easily won the game, 68-33, and sent the Lady Cougars to the second round of the NJAC Tournament. Senior guard Ebony Jackson led the Cougars with 14 points and seven assists in the win. Kean looked to advance to the finals of the NJAC Tournament for the third year in a row, but first they would have to travel to Montclair State University for a semifinal battle on February 25. The Lady Cougars showed early in the

first half that getting to the finals is where they wanted to be. Kean went on a 20-6 run in the first six minutes of the game, and a layup by Tiffany Patrick heightened the Lady Cougars’ lead to 26 points, 3610, the biggest of the first half. The Lady Red Hawks never cut the lead to less than 20 points for the rest of the first half. The Lady Cougars concluded the first half leading, 44-22. Montclair State cut the Lady Cougars’ lead to 19 on two occasions in the second half. The last time the Lady Red Hawks tried to get to less than 20 points was with 6:50 to play when Jackie Berry sank a three-pointer for a 60-41 score. Kean

neatly wrapped up a 76-55 conquest to advance to the NJAC finals as Jackman finished with a team-high 18 points, and Patrick recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. In the conference final, the Cougars faced The College of New Jersey for the third time this season, and the third time in the last six years the teams met in the finals. The Cougars looked to repeat history, hoping to become three-peat champions on February 28. Both teams got off to a slow start in the first half. The Lady Lions held a 4-0 advantage until the Lady Cougars scored at 13:39. TCNJ’s defense tightened up and Kean couldn’t gain the lead. The Lady Lions amplified their lead as the first half wound down and the Lady Cougars could not slash TCNJ’s broad advantage. Alyssa Michella scored a three-pointer for the last points of the first half to put the Lady Lions on top by 13, 30-17. Jackman reduced the Cougars’ deficit to under 10 points in the second half on a jumper. Jackman’s jumper inched Kean to within seven points, 32-25. TCNJ began to pull away again with seven minutes to play. Alexandra Gregorek pushed the lead back to 10 points, 40-30, with a layup. The time on the game not only wound down, but so did the Lady Cougars’ chance to three-peat as NJAC conference champions. TCNJ held off Kean for a 69-57 win. With the NJAC Tournament over, Kean now turns to the NCAA Division III Tournament. In the past two seasons, the Lady Cougars have made it to the Elite Eight and look to go above and beyond that this season.

Cougars Season Ends in First Round of NJAC Tournament By Nicole VonGonten

Before heading to the NJAC Tournament, the Cougars closed out the regular season against The College of New Jersey on February 18. After a 3-3 tie early in the first half, TCNJ began to take over the game. In the half the Lions led by 19 with four minutes remaining. The Cougars cut the lead to 12, 28-16, with 1:30 to play when Rodlin Pierre netted a free throw. Kean could not cut the lead any further as the half ended. The Cougars trailed, 31-16. The Lions increased their lead in the second half. It ballooned to 20 points when Frank Jay made a basket for a 41-21 advantage. Kean came back to within 10 points of the lead, 45-35, as Akinwande Oshodi provided the jump shot for the Cougars. The comeback was short-lived for Kean, though. TCNJ held on to its enormous lead. In their final regular season game, the Cougars fell to the Lions,

The Cougars prepare to soar above their opponent as they warm up for the game.

www.keanathletics.com/landing/index

71-54. Junior guard Dean Hughes led Kean with 13 points. An intense first-round game of the NJAC tournament awaited Kean as they traveled to William Paterson on February 21. The first half of the contest saw five ties in the first 11 minutes. With William Paterson leading 13-10, Vinnie Darpino sank a three-pointer for Kean to tie the game for the fifth time in the half. The Pioneers took back the lead quickly after an underhand shot by Shaun Canty. The Cougars could not gain the lead back. As the half came to a close, William Paterson had built a 10-point edge, 33-23. The Pioneers held the lead in the second half. Kean did not go quietly, though. Darpino cut the Pioneers lead to three, 41-38, on a nice basket with eight minutes to play. With 4:46, William Paterson stretched the lead back to 10 points with a free throw by Jordan Fowler. As the closing minute waned, the Cougars cut the deficit yet again. Akinwande Os-

hodi scored a three-pointer to dwindle the Pioneers’ lead to three points, 51-48. Suddenly, with three seconds to go in the half with the Pioneers up by four points, Oshodi recorded another three-pointer to cut the lead to a point. With a second remaining, Dean Hughes fouled Paul Gabriel of the Pioneers. Gabriel made one of his two free throws to wrap up the win for William Paterson. The loss puts an end to Kean’s bid for the NJAC championship. As the offseason awards begin, sophomore Jonathan Jones was named a NJAC honorable mention All-Star. The Cougars closed out the season with a record of 12-14.

GO COUGARS!!

The Tower | March 11, 2009

SPORTS

Baseball Continues to Play Strong With 6-1 Record Kelly Nemeth

The Cougars grabbed the win on Saturday March 7 against College at Brockport with a 9-6 victory, overcoming its first loss of the season a week earlier and bringing their current record to 6-1. In the game, senior Drew Campbell received his first win of the season. Kean came out in the 1st with a run due to walks from freshman Nick Ramagli and junior Nick Nolan, and a single by sophomore Mike Moceri. Brockport fought back hard in the 4th by adding on five runs to take the lead. Kean bounced right back in the 5th with singles by freshman Dylan Laguna and sophomore Mike Moceri. Kean added on one in both the 6th and 7th but it was in the 8th where they took back the lead for good. Freshman Vinny Galya started it off with a walk followed by freshman DJ Breckenridge, who was hit by a pitch. Freshman Nick Ramaglia singled to fill the bases and then advanced to second on wild pitch that brought in one more run for the cougars. Sophomore Mike Moceri singled in yet another run and freshman Dylan Laguna maintained his momentum with a single. The Cougars kept the rally going with a handful of advances due to errors and being hit by pitches, which led them to score a whopping six runs in the inning. The Cougars earned their third win of the season against FDU College at Florham on February 25 at Jim Hynes Stadium in a 5 to 1 victory. Rookie Ryan Zamorsky gained his first

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Freshman Lee Cavico greets Junior Nick Nolan after his homerun.

college career win while pitching eight innings, allowing a mere one run and nine hits and five strike outs. The Cougars wasted no time with a whopping 5 runs in the 1st inning due to singles by freshmen Dylan Laguna and Lee Cavico, and Senior Mike Manganiello. Junior Nick Nolan added to the score with a double along with Sophomore Kyle Walker’s triple. The Cougars held the score to a shut-out until the 5th inning when FDU scored only one run. Kean faced Desales University on February 26, adding another win to their record with the score 3-0. Senior Colin Feneis lit up the mound pitching seven full innings and striking out seven. Kean

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started it up in the 1st with a single by sophomore Jared Orgel. Sophomore Gabe Ramirez was hit by a pitch to advance to first and Senior Mike Manganiello’s sacrifice bunt advanced Orgel and Ramirez. Freshman Dylan Laguna was also hit by pitch which loaded the bases. Sophomore Mike Diaz knocked in the run for the cougars. The 3rd inning added two more for the Cougars due to a walk by freshman Lee Cavico who was brought in by Junior Nick Nolan’s homerun. The Cougars held on to the lead throughout the rest of the game. Junior Joe Bartinski earned his second win of the year against Franklin & Marshall College. Franklin & Marshall wasted no time, scoring one in the 1st but Kean

battled back putting up two due to singles by freshman Dylan Laguna and junior Nick Nolan. The score stayed the same until the 4th when sophomore Jared Orgel singled and senior Mike Manganiello brought him in with a double. Kean put up one in the 4th and F&M put up one in the 8th. Kean sealed the deal in the 8th adding on three runs due to Freshman Lee Cavico and Junior Nick Nolan both being hit by pitches and freshman Vince Gilstrap walking. Sophomore Jared Orgel’s sacrifice hit and Senior Mike Manganiello’s single which brought in the three runs to end it. Kean bats were lacking in its game against Albright College ending in the Cougar’s first loss of the season. Junior Nick Cesare took the loss allowing four runs, three in which were unearned in his seven innings of play. Albright started it off in the 1st scoring one. The Cougars tried to battle back in 2nd with a single by sophomore Gabe Ramirez, but could not get in the run. Albright continued to surpass in the 5th adding four more runs to the score. Junior Mike Moceri tried to raise the sore with a single in the 7th and 9th but in the end the Cougars could not come out on top. The cougars play Wednesday against College of Mt. St. Vincent. Kean will head to California over spring break to play LaSierra University, Chapman University, University of La Verne, University of Redlands, and Whittier College. You can watch the games live at www.keanathletics.com

March 11, 2009 | The Tower

SPORTS

Here Comes March Madness

POINT

COUNTERPOINT

By John Cherry

By Jay Hicks

Get your pens and pencils ready because March Madness is about to get rocking and rolling. Now is the time to figure out who you are going to pick to win it all. NCAA pools are running all throughout the country, whether it is an office pool, your buddy down the hall, or a big-time high roller. No matter how much of an expert someone says they are about NCAA basketball, it is the biggest crap-shoot in the world to pick the winners. The lady in accounting, who picks the winners by what mascot she likes the best, can easily do better than the so- called expert. The run George Mason University made in 2006 is still fresh in people’s minds, since it is only the second 11th seed to make the Final Four, with Louisiana State University in 1986 being the other. The truth is that it is a very big rarity to see a team like George Mason make that kind of run. With the strength of conferences such as the Big East and the Atlantic Coast conferences, many do not expect to see the underdog team make it to the final rounds this year.

The teams in those two top conferences have been battle-tested all year long. They have beaten each other up back and forth, preparing them for what will be a brutal three-week stretch if they were to win it all. It would not shock me one bit to see the majority of the teams that make it to the Final Four coming from the ACC and Big East. No other team from any other conference has been ranked number one throughout the country all year. These teams not only have the talent to go all the way, but they have the experienced coaches needed to get them there. When you are filling out your brackets within the next week, here are some facts about the tournament to keep in mind. Finishing number one at the end of the season is not necessarily good. Only six teams have finished the year ranked number one and then went on to win the big dance, the last being Florida in 2007. In all but two years, there has been at least one number-one seed in the Final Four. A number-16 seed has never defeated a number-one seed, and a number-15 seed has defeated a number two-seed only four times, the last being in 2001 with Hampton over Iowa State. In a year that it seems like any team can get hot at the right time and win those six straight games needed to be a champion, it is time to go out on a limb and see how I do. Before Connecticut’s Jerome Dyson went down with a seasonending injury they were hands down the team to beat, but that injury brought them back to the pack. The University of North Carolina by far has the most talent of any team in the country but, for them playing like a team is going to be the key.

I agree with John Cherry that the Big East and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) are two dominant conferences today in NCAA men’s basketball. Both the University of Connecticut and the University of Pittsburgh, both from the Big East, were Number One in the country at one point. Right now, it’s UConn, but Pittsburgh is a legitimate threat, especially with the Big East tournament coming up next. But at the same time, we cannot ignore other conferences. Recently, the University of Washington upset Arizona State, 73-70, in overtime and then beat Arizona, 83-78, to clinch their first Pac-10 division title since 1985 (Source: www. gohuskies.com). While the UW Huskies moved from number 21 to number 13, they are growing in confidence that they can take on good teams in this coming NCAA tournament, providing that they get an automatic bid by winning the Pac10 tournament. The Huskies have won 7 of their last 8 games to arrive at this point and they cannot be ignored. Oklahoma is number four now in the country, but two other conference teams, Kansas and Missouri, can post serious competition against the fourth-ranked Sooners in the Big 12 tournament. Missouri is 17-0 at home this season and Kansas owns a 13-1 conference play record (Source: www.newsok.com). Both teams simply will not go away, and Oklahoma faces a rocky road in the conquest for the Big 12. After all, Kansas defeated Oklahoma last week, 87-78, resulting in a rare two-game slide for the Sooners. While Oklahoma is 26-3 (12-2 in conference), Missouri is 25-5 (11-3 in conference) and Kansas is 24-5 (conferencebest 13-1), so that makes for very tight rivalries between these universities.

“Anything can happen, like when you try to break open a biscuit." Nothing in the NCAA main event is a given. I don’t care about the statistics of the seeds in history past. One former co-worker of mine was always fond of saying this: “Anything can happen, like when you try to break open a biscuit… you can try to cleanly cut it open with a knife, but then if the biscuit isn’t flaky enough, it will crumble.” He simply means that in sports, while the high expectations are that the higher-seeded teams will advance further down the brackets, there are potential upsets waiting to happen. John brought up several examples in his article, Hampton over Iowa State in 2001 and the run by George Mason in 2006. However, upsets are pretty much rare in past tournaments. For this reason, I strongly feel that this upcoming NCAA tournament that will determine the nation’s best team will be a very exciting one. Whether a select few are expected to mow down the field or a select few surprise the rest of us by scoring major upsets, one thing is certain: March Madness will simply be that— CRAZY!!!

JOHN'S PICKS Final Four Teams NCAA Title Game

JAY'S PICKS

Michigan State, UNC, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma UNC over Oklahoma

Final Four Teams NCAA Title Game

RECENT SCORES MEN’S LACROSSE: 02/25 Kean 6, Washington College 11

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL-NCAA TOURNAMENT: 03/06 Kean 74, Marymount University 60

03/05 Kean 10, Manhattanville College 3

03/07 Kean 59, University of Rochester 66

03/07 Kean 12, Mount Ida College 7

Connecticut, LSU, Kansas, North Carolina Connecticut over North Carolina

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